Page 20 of Mr Darcy’s Worth: Three Pride and Prejudice Variations
“I am afraid Catherine has lost her mind completely, my dear, and I have utterly lost my patience,” the earl declared, hurriedly pouring himself a glass of brandy. Then he looked at his wife, puzzled.
“Have you changed your mind about the ride in the park?”
“I have. I believe we should take this opportunity to talk to Darcy.”
“About what?” the earl enquired.
“We have nothing to discuss at this moment,” Darcy declared, “despite the fact that my aunt believes otherwise.”
“I am in no disposition for charades,” the earl responded.
“Neither am I, Uncle. Therefore, I shall explain briefly what my aunt believes to be a subject for debate.”
The earl looked at his wife, then back at Darcy, sipping from his glass and waiting.
“Lady Catherine travelled to Hertfordshire to confront Miss Elizabeth Bennet about an engagement which did not exist. As I have already explained, Miss Elizabeth is the second daughter of a gentleman. Her eldest sister will marry Bingley soon.”
“Yes, we know all this,” the earl said.
“What you may not know, although I have already confessed it several times, is that I do admire Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I hope to have the opportunity to speak more with her and to consolidate a friendship.”
“Yes, I believe you told us as much. Either you or Geoffrey,” the earl replied with an unexpected calmness. “And? What else is there to discuss? I cannot argue with a gentleman over his desire to befriend a young woman.”
“Excuse me?” Lady Matlock interjected with apparent vexation. “Husband, have you had one too many drinks? Can you not understand your nephew’s words? His interest in this young woman is more than mere friendship!”
“That might be the case, but why would it be our concern? I hope you are aware that Geoffrey has had many lady friends, and I never discussed the matter with him.”
“Surely you are trying to annoy me, sir! You must know what I am talking about. Darcy has serious designs on this young woman. He intends to pursue this Miss Bennet, and we might be in a situation to agree with Catherine after all!”
“I might sound disrespectful, but I would rather not continue this pointless conversation—it might turn into a quarrel,” Darcy declared.
He breathed deeply, then continued. “I shall not deny that Miss Bennet is the only woman I have considered for more than a friendship, but I have no reason to believe that such an attempt would meet with success at this moment. Yes, I intend to pursue her, but it will be a hard endeavour as her opinion of me has been very ill. I shall consider myself quite fortunate if she accepts me one day.”
Lady Matlock gave a gasp of disbelief and opposition, covering her mouth with her hand. “You expect that a young woman with no fortune, no connections, no dowry, the daughter of a country gentleman would not accept you? Surely you are joking?”
“I am not joking, and I am quite certain that she will only accept a man whom she can love and admire. I am not sure I am that man, but I shall try my best to become him.”
“Darcy, you have lost your mind! Catherine was correct after all.”
“I have never been clearer minded or more determined. But I must repeat — I have had no such discussion with Miss Bennet, I have barely spoken to her since August, and she is ignorant of my intentions. Any rumours on this subject would make her uncomfortable and would make me look like a ridiculous fool.”
“So…then you have decided to have her?”
“I have if it is possible!”
“You must realise that we cannot agree with such a choice for your wife. That we cannot welcome her into our family,” his aunt said.
“If such an event does eventually occur, my wife and my sister will be my family. I would dearly welcome all of you if you wish it, but if not, I shall be content with the happiness I shall gain through my marriage.”
Darcy made his statement and immediately felt a deep sense of relief. His heart became lighter — as if a burden had been removed from his chest.
He had spoken his mind, he had made a decision, and he had stated it aloud. He would admit no arguments, nothing that would distress his wife or sister.
“Husband, you have nothing to say? You are his closest relative—you should advise him on what is best for him and for the family!” Lady Matlock addressed the earl, clearly in a perturbed state of mind.
“I might have something to say, madam, but I doubt Darcy wishes to listen. I hardly remember advising him in any matter before, so why would I be so presumptuous as to do it now? I might not agree with whom he intends to marry, but as long as she is an honourable woman who will not hurt the family’s reputation, my opinion matters little. ”
“What do you imply? Should we give him our blessing? Should we accept just anyone into the family?”
“My dear madam, I doubt Darcy would allow just anyone near him and Georgiana. Regardless, he does not need either our approval or blessing.”
Darcy listened to the conversation without interfering. He had expected opposition from his uncle and was surprised to be proved wrong. In fact, the earl did not look surprised either, so it was likely that Geoffrey had revealed pieces of the story to him already.
“I do not need it, but I would like to have your blessing nevertheless,” he finally replied. “However, I shall say again and again, we are only discussing my intentions, my wishes, with no notion of Miss Bennet’s opinions and feelings.”
“Do not be na?ve, Darcy. No woman would reject you, especially not one in such a disadvantageous situation in life,” Lady Matlock said spitefully.
“You would be surprised, Aunt. Trust me on this,” Darcy concluded, unable to conceal his smile. The earl continued to drink, gazing at Darcy with apparent interest.
“I must leave you now,” Darcy eventually said. “I hope and pray that we shall meet again soon without further pointless quarrels.”
***
Three days passed after the day of the scandal in the Matlocks’ house.
Darcy received the news that Lady Catherine had returned to Kent without any discussion with anyone in the family.
Anne remained with the Matlocks, and Georgiana visited her daily, but Darcy attended to other affairs.
He reflected for many hours upon his quarrel with Lady Matlock, wondering about Lord Matlock’s calm demeanour.
Talking to the colonel, Darcy had the confirmation that his cousin had mentioned Elizabeth to his father several times and suggested Darcy’s admiration for her.
So, unlike his wife, the earl had been prepared.
As planned, Mr. Gardiner visited and confessed that his wife had revealed to Elizabeth the truth of Darcy’s involvement in the Wickhams’ marriage.
“Mr. Darcy, I beg your forgiveness, sir. I take all the blame for betraying your secret, but Lizzy is the only one who knows all the facts. Lydia mentioned your presence at the wedding, and Elizabeth suspected something, so she questioned my wife. We had no choice but to either tell her the truth or invent a lie. But I assure you, Elizabeth is as grateful to you as we all are, and she will take the first opportunity to thank you!”
“Mr. Gardiner, I requested secrecy precisely because I did not want anyone — especially Miss Elizabeth — to feel the need to thank me. I did what I believed was right, and I handled Wickham’s debts in a manner convenient for me.
That is all. I would rather forget about this whole affair and not mention it again. ”
“My wife and I shall do as you request, Mr. Darcy. And we shall never speak of this matter again, either to you or to anyone else.”
As true as that might have been, Darcy’s main concern remained Elizabeth’s response, and the more the moment of their meeting approached, the more nervous he became.
Eventually, the day before his planned departure, Darcy paid another visit to the Matlocks.
Lady Matlock was seemingly in her room with a headache, and she did not receive him.
The earl, his eldest son the viscount, and the colonel invited him for a drink.
They spent an hour together and talked about Bingley’s upcoming wedding, but none of them mentioned Elizabeth again.
Despite her initial plan, Georgiana chose to remain at home with Mrs. Annesley and to continue to visit Anne daily.
Darcy heartily approved of her decision; he found it to the benefit of both his sister and his cousin and — selfishly — he preferred to have all his attention upon Elizabeth, without any concern for Georgiana’s comfort.
***
On a cold October morning, before the sun had even fully risen, Darcy left London to return to Hertfordshire, the place where his life had completely altered a year ago. It was only one year but so full of events, of unexpected changes, that it felt as long as ten.
The journey was uneventful; he had already taken that road several times, so it looked familiar to him, but his feelings were different. Every time he had seen Elizabeth, his feelings for her were different. Sometimes stronger, sometimes repressed, sometimes confused. Never the same.
On that trip, his feelings were deeper, more steady, clearer. He knew his heart and his mind very well; he knew his wishes, and he believed he knew the right way not only towards her house but also towards her heart.
He was content and relieved for everything that had occurred within his family. Things were clear there too, and whatever happened between him and Elizabeth, any news he would send to his relatives, they would not be surprised.
The journey lasted a few hours, and when he was close to Meryton, his nervousness, his uncertainties, and his doubts returned and troubled his peace.
The carriage rode through Meryton, and he saw several familiar faces. When the horses turned towards Longbourn, his heart raced faster than the carriage. Then suddenly he heard the coachman’s voice, and the horses stopped abruptly, neighing.